Chicago Unites for Change: April Recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month

CHICAGO (WLS) — The recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month began 25 years ago, marking its inception in 2001. This important observance seeks to bring attention to the prevalence and impact of sexual violence.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

According to statistics from the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, more than 45% of women and 16% of men across the United States endure sexual violence at some point in their lives, highlighting the widespread nature of this issue.

Furthermore, workplace sexual harassment remains a significant concern, affecting one in three women, as indicated by recent data.

Rachel Hines, who serves as the associate clinical director at the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago, plays a vital role in supporting survivors of sexual assault through her work at the organization.

Hines noted that in many cases, the perpetrator of such assaults is someone known to the victim, underscoring the complex dynamics often involved in these situations.

“Statistically, it’s more likely to be someone you know. Like around 60-to-80% it’s more likely to be someone you know. I’ve been doing this work for 16 years, in all of those 16 years I can only think of a handful of cases where it’s been someone that the survivor didn’t know,” Hines said.

These days, technology is changing how people are targeted.

“Kids are being targeted in online game forums and chats. Ex-romantic partners are releasing intimate photos and videos of their partners,” she explained.

Hines also cited reports of a “rape academy” website. She said its “where men were going to this website to exchange information and photos and videos around how to assault their wives. Also, AI is a big concern when it comes to sexual violence. There’s been trends of folks taking people’s videos or photos, altering them creating fake pornography. This is also something that has been targeting children as well.”

Hines said sexual assaults are likely underreported.

“Often times when survivors there’s a lot of scrutiny on the survivor. the victim like ‘what did you do, didn’t you do, what were you wearing, why were you here, did you want this in some way?’ any number of things. That’s hard to face. There’s also consequences, when there’s someone that you know, if it’s someone in your family, if it’s your work colleague, etc. there can be a lot of fallout. So it has, like, a severe impact in lots of different areas in a survivor’s life.”

For survivors seeking help, the Rape Crisis Hotline is: 888-293-2080.

For more information on the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago, which is celebrating 150 years:

https://ywcachicago.org/

You can contact the Illinois domestic violence hotline at 1-877-863-6338 click here for more information.